Rockhurst News

Luke Spencer repeatedly refused to accept defeat when pursuing his dream of being a naval officer – until a severe car accident left him no other choice. Now the Rockhurst University junior has a new dream, and he’s once again overcoming obstacles and using hard lessons learned to make that happen.

When Spencer graduated high school his sole goal was to get into a service academy to become a naval officer. This was his career goal since he was a kid, aiming to follow in his father’s footsteps.

Emma Miller, ’22, came to Rockhurst prepared to pursue an undergraduate degree on her way to medical school.

But, like many, the COVID-19 pandemic led to soul-searching about whether that was the path for her. A biology major and career in medicine, she said, might not be her calling. But, still loving science, she wondered — what is?

It’s not every day you can find a child who loves school so much they want to spend the rest of their lives in a classroom. Many count the minutes down until it’s time to leave.

Not so for Miranda Pollard and J.T. Cornelius. They knew a classroom is where they wanted to be.

Sean Lenihan was in elementary school when Rockhurst University Professor Nancy Donaldson started the Physics of Medicine degree at Rockhurst.

It was 2008 and Donaldson wanted to broaden students’ understanding of physics with curriculum relevant to their interest in medicine and healthcare. She started the program with the specific intention to make physics accessible, applicable and relatable to students outside of a physics Ph.D. pathway.

Sedgwick Hall is a milestone – started in 1910, the members of the Society of Jesus who founded the University had to wait until 1914 to complete the project. Despite that initial delay, the building has stood tall ever since. Its use over the years reflects its status as both a milestone and a workhorse, serving as a residence for Jesuits, for students, as both classroom space and recreational space, and until 2015 when Arrupe Hall opened, as the site of approximately 45% of the University’s undergraduate contact hours (and for many years Rockhurst High School as well).

Kansas City’s Municipal Auditorium was buzzing Saturday with loved ones cheering on the almost 750 graduates at Rockhurst University’s commencement ceremony.

The ceremony was the first in Municipal Auditorium since 2019, as the 2020 commencement was held virtually and the 2021 event outside, at Children’s Mercy Park.

Choosing where to go to college can be stressful. Tucker is here to help.

A members of the Office of Admissions staff is lending his very unique set of skills to incoming students experiencing the maze of decisions, forms, tests and essays.

Sean Klippel is an educator and a member of the LGBTQ+ community who was recently honored for his research as part of Rockhurst's Doctorate in Education program. Klippel's project, "How K-12 Teachers Perceive a State Bill and LGBTQ+ Affirming Curriculum," earned him a Rockhurst Outstanding Research Award (RORA) as part of the University's Festival of Student Achievement. 

In the following Q & A, Klippel explains why he's passionate about the project, as well as why it's so important now:

Craig Prentiss, Ph.D., professor of Religious Studies and Theology at Rockhurst, was recently granted a Fulbright Scholar Award to teach at the University of Bucharest in Romania in spring 2023. Fulbright Scholar Awards are prestigious and competitive fellowships that provide unique opportunities for scholars to teach and conduct research abroad. 

Startland News photo

Some students go to college undecided on a major, and that’s just fine. Others, like 2016 Rockhurst graduate Kaitlin Doyle, know exactly what they want to do.

Doyle’s mother grew up as a child of a deaf adult (CODA) and Kaitlin had an uncle who had cerebral palsy and spent a lot of time in therapy. She saw how her grandparents took care of him and guided him through everyday tasks.